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Monday, September 12, 2011

Starry Night

Image credit noahg on Flickr

I mentioned at the beginning of the summer that I wanted to be open to new adventures. I read about Blessed Mama's camping trip with a bit of envy and it sparked the thought that it might be fun for our kidlets to sleep out under the stars. We don't have a tent, or even sleeping bags, though, so I regretfully tried to squash the impulse. Until we went outside in the gorgeous twilight, and the kids didn't want to come in. I told myself that we would probably make it back inside the house before midnight, and to just go with the adventure.

The kids were shocked and delighted when I started grabbing blankets and taking them outside. We settled into our spots, except for Elena, who kept popping up like a Jack-in-the-box and dancing around. The second time that she woke the baby I got really grouchy, but eventually recovered and apologized. Before long, both little ones were sleeping and the older two were happily counting stars.

We watched the rabbit in the moon, picked out a couple of constellations, then listened to the buzz and chirp of the local nightlife and scanned the heavens for falling stars. All the kidlets were sound asleep before ten thirty. I, on the other hand, found myself wondering if any creepy crawlies might decide to join us in the blankets. Sleeping right on the ground suddenly seemed like a not so great idea. I also discovered that despite plenty of natural padding, my bones on the ground were not particularly comfortable. The neighbor's dog began to bark and a mosquito whined in my ear. I probably would have gone back inside, but I didn't want to wake the kidlets.

Then I began to notice the sweet smells of the grass. To really look at the sparkling diamonds strewn across heaven's floor. The chirp and hum of the insects began to sound relaxing (it helped that the mosquito left without dinner). I grabbed an extra pillow and positioned it under my hip and fell asleep.

Of course, we woke a few times. The babies actually slept amazingly well--they didn't wake up any more than usual. Around 2:00, the dew was noticeable, and I slipped inside for additional blankets. The kidlets snuggled closer like a pile of little puppies, but we were dry and warm underneath the blankets.

Around 5:30, Ariana woke up and we snuggled and whispered together about dew and falling stars and planets, theology and astronomy and Oz. It grew light a little after 7:00, and as the sweetlings woke up, I brought them hot chocolate. The light in their eyes was brighter than the sun as they realized that they had stayed out the whole night. :) We cuddled and giggled, and they said it was the best night ever. <3

That sounds awesome! I've been wanting desperately to do the same with our boys, but sleeping on the ground at 36 weeks pregnant is a daunting idea, lol. And we have had a terrible summer for mosquitoes. Even in the house, despite our best efforts. I can't take the boys out to play in the yard without all of us coming in covered with bites on our legs and feet. And the repellent just doesn't seem to do much.